30 Days of Thankfulness

Since the beginning of November I have noticed many people posting the daily statuses about what they are thankful for.  I love to see people sharing their thankfulness and so I have decided to go along with this and since I am very behind I thought I would include make it a blog post!

So here it goes....

Day 1 - My husband - He is so encouraging and uplifting and speaks love into my life.

Day 2 - My dad - I will always be a daddy's girl

Day 3 - My mom - She's my best friend and someone I talk to everyday

Day 4 - My family - Even though many miles separate us we still stay connected.

Day 5 - The house over my head 

Day 6 - Being able to live life comfortably with what has been provided to me.

Day 7 - Spending time with some AMAZING students who are so in love with God.

Day 8 - Living in a place where we are free to worship whoever we want.

Day 9 - Knowing that some day I will see my loved one's again.

Day 10 - Memories

Day 11 - Having awesome co-workers - people who are always encouraging me.

Day 12 - My job 

Day 13- Seeing God provide so many things and having the best timing.

Day 14 - Relaxation time

Day 15 - Sharing laughs and tears with my hubby.

Day 16 - God's faithfulness and patience with me as I learn to be patient.

Day 17 - Friends that are always around and speak encouraging words.

Day 18 - Mini -vacations

Day 19 - Sharing in a memorable day as two people become one in marriage.

Day 20 - Spending time with family members across the US at the breakfast table.

More to come!

" Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song." Psalm 95:1-2

Fear of God

Here is a snippet of what I'm reading...

"I would like to suggest that Church become a place of terror again; a place where God continually has to tell us, "Fear not", a place where our relationship with God not a simple belief or doctrine or theology, it is God's burning presence in our lives. I am suggesting that the tame God of relevance be replaced by the God whose very presence shatters our egos into dust, burns our sin into ashes, and strips us naked to reveal the real person within.  The Church needs to become a gloriously dangerous lace where nothing is safe in God's presence except us. Nothing - including our plans, our agendas, our priorities, our politics, our money, our security, our comfort, our possessions, our needs...Our world is tired of people whose God is tame.  It is longing to see people whose God is big and holy and frightening and gentle and tender...and ours; a God whose love frightens us into His strong and powerful arms where He longs to whisper those terrifying words, "I love You." Mike Yaconelli - "What Women Fear" by Angie Smith

It seems that fear of God is a subject that has come up quite frequently today as I read this book and also prepare a lesson on fearing God for the students on Wednesday night.  God is preparing me and teaching me to fear Him.  Will I listen? 

"And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last." Revelations 1:17

Sweet & Sour Chicken Recipe

I was looking on Pinterest for a new recipe and found this AMAZING recipe for sweet and sour chicken!  It was absolutely delicious.  The recipe on Pinterest was linked to Mel's Kitchen Cafe http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2008/07/sweet-and-sour-chicken-updated.html

*Note: if you like extra sauce, double the sauce ingredients – pour half over the chicken and follow the baking directions in the recipe and pour the other half in a small saucepan. Cook the sauce on the stovetop at a simmer for 8-10 minutes until it reduces and thickens. Serve it on the side of the chicken.

*Serves 4-6

Chicken:
3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper
1 cup cornstarch
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup canola oil

Cut boneless chicken breasts into chunks. Season with salt and pepper. Dip chicken in cornstarch and then in egg. Fry in a little oil until brown but not cooked through. Place in a single layer in a baking dish. Mix sauce ingredients (below) together and pour over chicken.

Sauce:
¾ cup sugar
4 tablespoons ketchup
½ cup vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon garlic salt

Bake for one hour at 325 degrees. Turn chicken every 15 minutes so it is evenly coated with the sauce. Serve over rice.

The only thing I did differently was that I used flour instead of cornstarch.

Mel has a bunch of great recipes that I want to try!

It's October, Where has the year gone!

Well, it has been a while since I last blogged.  This time of year is extremely busy with all the happenings and adventures that we do with the youth group, craziness of work and just everyday life.  I enjoy being busy and spending time with the people that I love but I enjoy rest too!   


Within the past month I have been diving into some great books and worship music.  Here is what I've been enjoying... 

Great Christian Fiction Series

Deep and Understanding

 Even though these books are completely different there are many ways that I can link them. Right now on http://www.incourage.me/category/bloom they are going through each chapter in What Women Fear!  Feel free to link up and join them.

 

This is my cry with all that is going on personally and in our world.  It's so good to know that God is listening and working.  We may not get the answer that we want or at the time we want it but He is always there.  

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with  you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Deuteronomy 31:8